Commissioners approve ball complex but reject proposed apartments

VPS Architecture / Special to The Courier & Press
This image shows a possible concept of what an eight-field softball/baseball complex could look like.

EVANSVILLE - Vanderburgh County Commissioners approved rezoning a new baseball and softball field complex off North Green River Road Tuesday evening, but then voted down a proposed apartment complex off nearby Heckel Road.

The Evansville Convention & Visitors Bureau's proposed complex had no dissenters at the Tuesday rezoning night meeting, and the commissioners quickly approved it.

Two Kins Investment's proposed apartment complex, however, elicited far more discussion. The Commissioners' meeting room was so full people lined the walls, and dozens gathered outside who could not fit in the meeting room.

Evansville lawyer Andrew Ozete, who is also a neighbor of the proposed apartments, presented a petition against the development with 801 signatures that included residents of several surrounding neighborhoods and subdivisions. He argued the proposed 245-unit apartment complex, which he called high-density, was out of character with the surrounding area, which consists of mostly single-family housing.

He told the commissioners the neighbors believe the complex will lower their property values, which is bad for the homeowners and the county as lower property values means less property tax collections.

He concluded his argument by saying the neighbors were not against development on that property, they just did not want that development. It was not suitable, he said.

Dozens of neighbors also addressed the commissioners, expressing similar concerns.

Two Kins Investment attorney Krista Lockyear argued the apartment complex would be upscale. Throughout her presentation members of the audience loudly snickered, scoffed and booed.

The proposed unit would have comprised 245 three-bedroom apartments, she said. The developer agreed to pitched roofs and brick facades, among other design standards. The area, she said, is a good spot for apartments. The location is not suitable for large, high income houses, she said. The apartments — surrounded by trees, walking trails and children's play equipment — would make a good buffer between the new ball fields and the residential homes, she said.

The complex would also generate more than $300,000 of tax revenue for the county every year, she said.

"It's unfortunate the neighbors have dug in their heels and don't want to believe in it," Lockyear told the Commissioners before the vote. "But it's all here in writing."

Before the vote, Commissioner Joe Kiefer said he was disappointed that the neighbors and the developer were not able to have a more productive dialogue to work out their differences.